The methionase chain reaction: an enzyme-based autocatalytic amplification system for the detection of thiols

Chem Commun (Camb). 2020 Mar 14;56(21):3175-3178. doi: 10.1039/c9cc09136j. Epub 2020 Feb 17.

Abstract

We present an autocatalytic system for the detection and amplification of thiols termed the Methionase Chain Reaction (MCR). MCR is based on the reversible modification of the thiol producing enzyme Methionine Gamma-Lyase (MGL). MCR was able to amplify the concentration of thiols by a factor of 560 and was able to visually detect thiols at concentrations as low as 50 nM.

MeSH terms

  • Carbon-Sulfur Lyases / chemistry*
  • Catalysis
  • Colorimetry
  • Coloring Agents / chemistry
  • Limit of Detection
  • Methionine / chemistry
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds / analysis*

Substances

  • Coloring Agents
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds
  • Methionine
  • Carbon-Sulfur Lyases
  • L-methionine gamma-lyase